Aerith Gainsborough is the second female character that we meet in Final Fantasy VII, and the debate rages hot between her and Tifa vying for favorite female character, and the affections of Cloud.

Aerith is a spiritual young woman; when first we come upon her, she is caring for her flowers in an abandonned church. Though she is a physically weak character, she is quite adept with magic, and she seems much more innocent than one who has endured what she has.

Instead of becoming bitter and angry over what life has laid out for her, she remains sweet and caring.